Tuesday, August 23, 2011

A poll, and some thoughts on the first half of the preseason

Sitemeter is saying traffic is picking up again, so I thought I'd put some actual new content up.

Does it matter to you if your team wins in the preseason?
Yes, absolutely. You play to win the game.
As long as the starters do OK, I'm happy.
No, I don't care. It's just a way for coaches to decide which players are worth keeping.
  
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Packers:

  • The first-string offense has been slow to get started the first couple games (3-and-out on their first drive week 1, punting twice in their first two drives week 2). Yeah, it's just the preseason, but it would be nice to see them get going a little faster.

  • The Packers have an embarrasment of riches at wide receiver and tight end. Given that they were already pretty deep, they're going to have to cut some pretty high-quality guys. Teams that are looking for some depth at wide out will want to be watching.

  • Graham Harrell, the Packers' 3rd-string quarterback, has had a pretty good preseason this year, which means the Packers will likely be inclined to trade backup Matt Flynn (whose rookie contract is up at the end of the 2011 season).

Cardinals:

  • Kevin Kolb looks like a definite improvement at quarterback (although a bit rusty). Of the 3 quarterbacks returning from last year, it looks very much like Max Hall is the odd man out; I'll be surprised if he doesn't get cut when it's time to get rosters down to 53 guys in a few weeks.

  • It was definitely a blow to lose second-round draft pick Ryan Williams for the year. But Alfonso Smith looked at least servicable in relief (12 carries, 39 yards and a TD) at the Packers. He's been on the Cardinals bubble for a while now (signed and cut last year, then resigned last January). He should have a chance to make the team if he can show some production in the last two preseason games.

  • I haven't seen any of the 49ers or Seahawks preseason games, but judging from the highlights and stat lines of Alex Smith and Tarvaris Jackson, it looks a lot like the NFC West will come down to the Cardinals and Rams this year.

Other teams:

  • Is there any way the Bengals' season isn't already over? I'll be surprised if Andy Dalton can lead them to more than 4 or 5 wins this year.

  • The odds are excellent somebody (49ers? Seahawks? Colts?!) will be willing to make a trade for Carson Palmer this season. If the Bengals are comitted to rebuilding, it's hard to see how getting what they can in trade is worse than forcing him into retirement.

  • The Chiefs look like they've really regressed this year. Again, I know it's still preseason, but in their first game against the Buccaneers, they didn't get a 3rd-down conversion until late in the 4th quarter. For an offense that struggled to move the ball last season, it's not a good sign.

  • A lot of people like what the Eagles have done in the off-season. But what I see is a bunch of guys who have never played together working under a rookie defensive coordinator. Given their performance against the Steelers last week, there has to be some real questions about what the 'Dream Team' can really do this year.

  • Is there any rational explanation for the fact that Alex Smith is still the designated starter for the 49ers?